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Easy German Apple Streusel Cake with Vanilla Glaze

Easy German Apple Streusel Cake - featured image
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A forgiving, nostalgic German apple cake featuring a tender batter, juicy apple filling, crunchy streusel topping, and a sweet vanilla glaze. Simple to make and perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
  • 4 large apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for streusel)
  • 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Peel, core, and dice apples into half-inch cubes. Toss with lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  6. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  7. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Scatter apple mixture over the batter. Top with remaining batter.
  8. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in cold cubed butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over batter.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil if streusel browns too quickly.
  10. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Whisk confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake and let set for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Ensure butter is cold for the streusel to maintain texture. Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Let the cake cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into the cake. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, substitute butter and milk with coconut alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: German apple cake, streusel cake, vanilla glaze, fall baking, apple dessert, easy cake recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/easy-german-apple-streusel-cake-with-vanilla-glaze/